New lights shine in tech world

The Kickstarter project, LIFX, to create a smartphone-controlled, Wi-Fi connected lightbulb is showing to be a big hit. (Source:YouTube)

Creator Phil Bosua shows what a LIFX bulb will look like during a video to show off it's abilities. (Source: YouTube)

(RNN) – After being around for more than 125 years, the humble lightbulb is seeing a huge revamp. The once fancy dimmer switch is being reinvented into a handheld, customizable smartphone app that adjusts lighting to "match your mood or your decor."

The LIFX lightbulb (pronounced "life-ex") is a Kickstarter project from LIFX Labs that seeks to "reinvent" the household light. Each LED bulb can be wirelessly connected to a smartphone app that allows a wide range of control over the bulb.

LIFX has already surpassed its $100,000 funding goal with more than $450,000 - and there are still two months to go before its fundraising deadline.

The group says LIFX is easy to set up; simply change existing lightbulbs to the LIFX bulbs, download the smartphone app and you are ready to go.

"LIFX is the smartest lightbulb you've ever experienced. It's a WiFi-enabled, energy-efficient, multi-colored bulb that you control with your iPhone or Android," creator Phil Bosua said on the LIFX Kickstarter site. "LIFX gives you unprecedented control of your lights, reduces your energy costs, lasts up to 25 years and delivers an amazing range of experiences we think you'll love."

It changes colors to your liking, it can be dimmed, and it can be programmed to automatically do stuff like change its colors to match the beat of music.

Because it is connected to your phone, the lights will even be able to alert you of notifications from Twitter, Facebook, text messages and more.

For example, if your phone is in another room, the lights will blink to alert you of any notifications.

The lights can also be phased around your house, so you can create a night-light for the kids, and a sunrise light for yourself so you wake up naturally every morning. You can even have an auto-on/off effect for them to turn on when you come in your house, to all turning off as you leave.

Each bulb is currently priced at $69, which is roughly 10 times the cost of the average compact fluorescent bulb.

The $99 deal for two bulbs has already sold out. But you can still pay $119 for two or $196 for four. Distributors can also purchase a $5,000 pack that offers 100 bulbs, helping get the LIFX out to a wider audience.